Chief: Reps working on Sparky's Hayrides solution

Thursday

Nov 16, 2017 at 6:22 PM

Staff Reports

BREWSTER -- A solution appears in the works to tamp down the brouhaha that erupted early this week over whether Sparky’s Hayrides would be allowed to continue operating along Paine’s Creek Road in Brewster.

Police Chief Richard Koch, while researching the types of transport that might be available from a proposed parking area to Paine’s Creek Beach, came upon state law Chapter 90, Section 13, which states: “No person or persons, except firefighters acting pursuant to their official duties, shall occupy a trailer or semi-trailer while such trailer or semi-trailer is being towed, pushed or drawn or is otherwise in motion upon any way.”

Parker (Sparky) William operates a tractor hitched to a wagon, which transports people from Kate’s Seafood to the beach during summer season. It’s been a 30-year tradition in town.

Chief Koch told The Cape Codder Thursday that state Rep. Tim Whalen contacted him after hearing the news about Sparky, and said he was working with state Rep. Sarah Peake to create a workaround.

“He said they would work with the [state] DOT to find a way to give authority to local [government] to perhaps issue a permit that could allow Sparky to [transport people].

The revelation about Chapter 90 not only could affect Sparky’s Hayrides; if literally enforced, it also could affect parade floats and other vehicles that use trailers.

The chief said, “Now that the cat’s out of the bag, these issues can be addressed.”